Lacrosse handle

ABSTRACT

A handle for a lacrosse head is provided. The handle includes a hollow metal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The hollow metal tube has a first end for communicating with a throat portion of a lacrosse head and a second end opposing the first end. The hollow metal tube has a first thickness defined by a distance between the interior surface and the exterior surface at one location along the hollow metal tube and a second thickness defined by a distance between the interior surface and the exterior thickness at another location along the hollow metal tube. The first thickness has a greater magnitude than the second thickness.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/403,922, filed Aug. 16, 2002, and entitled“Lacrosse Stick With Increased Strength” and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/415,190, filed Oct. 1, 2002, and entitled“Lacrosse Handle Having Variable Wall Thickness.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a lacrosse handle forattachment to a lacrosse head. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a lacrosse handle for attachment to a lacrosse head that hasincreased strength and resistance to breakage or damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Original lacrosse handles were constructed of wood. These woodhandles were shaped such that the lacrosse handle and the lacrosse headwere a single integral wood structure. These wooden lacrosse handlessuffered from a variety of disadvantages. Initially, these woodenhandles were susceptible to damage from excess exposure to water such asthrough warping. Further, these prior wooden handles were heavy andsomewhat cumbersome and also susceptible to breakage. Moreover, becausethe wood had to be bent to form the sidewall and the scoop, asignificant amount of time was involved in forming or making each ofthese wooden lacrosse handles, which made them relatively expensive.Because the lacrosse handle and head were a single structure, if anyportion of the head or the handle broke or was damaged, the entirewooden handle and head needed to be replaced.

[0004] Subsequently, plastic lacrosse heads were developed which wereintended to be attached to a lacrosse handle. As the lacrosse heads andthe lacrosse handles were separate components that could be manufacturedseparately, if either the lacrosse handle or the lacrosse head becamedamaged or broke, each component could be replaced individually. Theoriginal handles for attachment to these plastic heads were constructedof wood. These handles were also susceptible to water damage and wererelatively heavy and cumbersome.

[0005] Thereafter, metal lacrosse handles were developed for attachmentto the plastic lacrosse heads. The initial metal handles were lessexpensive than the prior wood handles. However, they were relativelyheavy, which provided disadvantages from both a playability and a safetystandpoint. Current lacrosse handles are constructed of a lighter metal,such as aluminum or titanium. These lacrosse handles typically take theform of a hollow metal tube, and are formed by extrusion or similarprocesses. While having a relatively light weight, the hollow handlesare susceptible to breakage or damage. Additionally, these conventionalhandles also are formed with a uniform wall thickness along the entirelength of the tube. In other words, the cross-sectional thickness of thehandles from one end to the other end is the same. Moreover, the top andbottom halves of these conventional handles are symmetrical. This isdisadvantageous in that the handle does not assist a player indetermining the orientation of the handle and thus the attached lacrossehead in the player's hand.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a lacrosse handle that has increaseddurability without significantly increasing the weight thereof. A needalso exists for a lacrosse handle that provides a player with tactilefeedback as to the orientation of the handle in the player's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore one advantage of the present invention to providean improved handle for a lacrosse head that provides tactile stimuli orfeedback such that a player can sense the orientation of a lacrosse headattached to the handle without the need for visual inspection.

[0008] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide alacrosse handle having increased strength and durability.

[0009] It is a related advantage of the present invention to provide alacrosse handle for a lacrosse head having increased strength anddurability that does not require a significant increase in the weight ofthe handle.

[0010] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide ahandle for a lacrosse head that yields improved playability andhandling.

[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to provide alacrosse handle for attachment to a lacrosse head that has a varying ornon-uniform wall thickness.

[0012] In accordance with the above and the other advantages of thepresent invention, a handle for a lacrosse head is provided. The handleis constructed as a hollow tube having an interior surface and anexterior surface. The hollow tube has a first end for communicating witha throat portion of a lacrosse head and a second end opposing the firstend. The hollow tube has a first wall thickness defined by a distancebetween the interior surface and the exterior surface at one locationalong the hollow tube and a second wall thickness defined by a distancebetween the interior surface and the exterior thickness at anotherlocation along the hollow metal tube. The first wall thickness has agreater magnitude than the second wall thickness.

[0013] Other advantages of the present invention will become apparentwhen viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferredembodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a more complete understanding of this invention, referenceshould now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail inthe accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of theinvention.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side view of a lacrosse handle for attachment to alacrosse head in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse handle of FIG. 1in the direction of the arrows 2-2;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lacrosse handle of FIG. 2in the direction of the arrows 3-3;

[0018]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view the portion of the lacrosse handle ofFIG. 2 within the circle labeled 4;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lacrosse handle inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the portion of the lacrosse handleof FIG. 5 within the circle labeled 6;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a lacrosse handle inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion of the lacrosse handleof FIG. 7 within the circle labeled 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used toidentify the same components in the various views.

[0024] In the embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, a lacrossehandle having non-uniform wall thickness is shown. The lacrosse handle10 is preferably an eight sided structure that is generallysymmetrically shaped on either side of a handle centerline as is wellknown in the art. It will be understood, however, that the lacrossehandle can take on a variety of different shapes. The lacrosse handle 10is preferably constructed of metal, such as aluminum or titanium.However, the handle may be formed of a variety of other materials, suchas a variety of alloys. The handle 10 also is preferably constructed asa hollow metal tube with a top portion 12 and a bottom portion 16. Thetop portion 12 and the bottom portion 16 are generally defined by acenterline 14 of the handle 10.

[0025] The top portion 12 has a first wall thickness (t₁) and the bottomportion 16 has a second wall thickness (t₂). In conventional lacrossehandles, the first wall thickness and the second wall thickness are thesame. In fact, in conventional lacrosse handles, the wall thickness isthe same along the length of the handle. In accordance with the presentinvention, the handle 10 has varying wall thicknesses and, in oneembodiment, the second wall thickness (t₂) is greater than the firstwall thickness (t₁). In other words, at least a portion of the lacrossehandle 10 has a wall thickness on one side of the centerline 14 that isgreater than the wall thickness of another portion of the lacrossehandle 10 on the other side of the centerline 14.

[0026] As an illustrative example, the wall thickness (t₁) of the topportion 12 is approximately 0.040″ while the wall thickness (t₂) of thebottom portion 16 is approximately 0.050″. It will be understood thatthat dimensions of the tube wall may vary and dimensions given aremerely for purposes of illustration. More preferably, the lacrossehandle 10 is configured such that one half of the handle 10 has a wallthickness that is increased with respect to or greater than the wallthickness of the other half of the handle 10. In one embodiment, theincreased wall thickness is generally uniform from one end of the handleto the other end. However, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the wall thickness can be different at any twolocations along the handle 10.

[0027] This increased wall thickness provides a tactile stimuli orfeedback such that a player using the handle 10 can sense in whatdirection the handle 10 is configured in the player's hand, i.e. whetherthe portion having an increased wall thickness is facing upward ordownward or somewhere in between. As the lacrosse handle 10 is attachedto a lacrosse head, the player can also sense the direction the lacrossehead is facing, based solely on the feel of the weight of the handle inthe player's hands. This feature eliminates the need for a player tolook at the lacrosse head to determine its orientation during playthereby allowing the player to focus on the game.

[0028] While one way of varying the handle thickness to provide tactilestimuli or feedback is disclosed above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,it will be appreciated that the lacrosse handle wall thickness can bevaried in other ways to provide this tactile feedback. For example, inthe half of the lacrosse head 10 where the thickness is increased, thethickness need not extend from one end of the handle to the other.Instead, it need only extend along a portion of the length of thehandle. It will be understood that that the increased thickness canextend along any portion of the length of the handle as desired.Alternatively, the increased wall thickness does not need to be uniformfrom one end of the handle to the other, i.e. the magnitude of theincrease may vary. Instead, the half of the handle having the greaterwall thickness can have deviations in that thickness along the length ofthe handle. Moreover, a half weight or other similar structure could besecured within the handle 10 to provide the tactile feedback. It will beunderstood that the handle 10 can take on a variety of otherconfigurations to allow a player to sense the direction the attachedhead is facing, including having a side of the lacrosse handle havinglarger wall thickness than the other side.

[0029] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lacrossehandle 10 has a varying wall thickness to provide for increasedstrength. The handle 10 is preferably comprised of a metal material,however, a variety of other materials may instead be utilized. In thisembodiment, the handle 10 is comprised of a hollow tube, which has afirst wall thickness (t₁) adjacent a first end 18 and a second wallthickness (t₂) adjacent a second end 20 with the wall thickness (t₁)being larger than the wall thickness (t₂). As shown, the wall thicknessof the tube wall is gradually tapered such that the hollow interiorportion becomes gradually wider as it extends from one end to the otherend. As an illustrative example, the tube wall thickness graduallytapers from about 0.050″ at the first end 18 to about 0.040″ at thesecond end 20, which attaches to the head. As shown in FIG. 6, thethickness of the tube wall at the portion 24 is larger than thethickness of the tube wall at the portion 26.

[0030] It will be understood that he taper may extend in the otherdirection. It will also be understood that that dimensions of the tubewall may vary and dimensions given are merely for purposes ofillustration. Preferably, the dimension of the outside wall of the tuberemains the same, i.e. generally parallel to the centerline 14. Putanother way, the distance between the exterior surface 28 across thewidest part of the handle at the first end 18 is the same as thedistance between the exterior surface 28 across the widest part of thehandle at the second end 20. However, the distance between the interiorsurfaces 30 varies from the first end 18 to the second end 20. It willbe understood that the taper can be gradual beginning at one end of thehandle and tapering along the entire length of the handle.Alternatively, the tapering can begin at the midsection 22 of the handle10 or at any other location such that it tapers only along a larger orsmaller portion of the length of the handle 10.

[0031] Preferably, the thinner hollow portion (thickest part of the tubewall) is inserted into the throat of the lacrosse head such that thethicker portion of the tube wall is adjacent the lacrosse head. In thisembodiment, the thicker portion would correspond to the first end 18.This taper is intended to provide increased strength to the handle 10 byproviding a thicker portion, which results in a lacrosse handle that isstronger and more resistant to breakage. It will be understood that thetaper can alternatively be configured such that the thicker portion isadjacent the butt end of the handle. This increased weight at the buttend acts as a counterweight to provide more force as the handle isbrought downward during shooting or passing to yield increased ballvelocity due to the resulting “whip” action. In yet another embodiment,the lacrosse handle can have increased wall thickness generally in theareas where a player's hands are primarily intended to contact thehandle.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, which illustrate anotherembodiment in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment,the lacrosse handle 10 has a varying wall thickness to provide forincreased strength. The handle 10 is preferably comprised of a metalmaterial, however, a variety of other materials may instead be utilized.As shown, the handle 10 is comprised of a hollow tube, which has a firstwall thickness (t₁) adjacent a first end 18, a second wall thickness(t₂) adjacent a second end 20, and a third wall thickness (t₃) adjacentthe middle portion 22 of the handle 10. In this embodiment, the wallthickness (t₁) and the wall thickness (t₂) are generally the same andare both larger than the wall thickness (t₃). As shown, the wallthickness of the tube wall is larger adjacent the first end 18 and thesecond end 20, but is decreased in the middle portion 22 of the handle.Thus, the handle has a wall thickness that is decreased in the middleportion 22 with respect to the end portions 18, 20. It will beunderstood that the thickness increases in the wall may be located in avariety of different locations. Again, in this embodiment, the dimensionof the outside wall 28 of the tube remains the same, i.e. generallyparallel to the centerline 14, while the hollow interior portion 32decreases in size. Put another way, the distance between the exteriorsurfaces 28 across the widest part of the handle 10 at the first end 18is the same as the distance between the exterior surfaces 28 across thewidest part of the handle at the second end 20. However, the distancebetween the interior surfaces 32 varies.

[0033] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventionbe limited only in terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handle for a lacrosse head comprising: a hollowtube having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said hollowtube having a first end for communicating with a throat portion of alacrosse head and a second end opposing said first end; wherein saidhollow tube has a first thickness defined by a distance between saidinterior surface and said exterior surface at a first location alongsaid hollow metal tube and a second thickness defined by a distancebetween said interior surface and said exterior thickness at a secondlocation long said hollow metal tube; wherein said first thickness has agreater magnitude than said second thickness.
 2. The handle of claim 2,wherein the handle is constructed of a metal material.
 3. The handle ofclaim 2, wherein said hollow metal tube is defined by a top portion onone side of a centerline of the handle and a bottom portion on anopposing side of said centerline, said top portion and said bottomportion extending longitudinally across said hollow tube from said firstend to said second end, said top portion including said first location,said bottom portion including said second location.
 4. The handle ofclaim 3, wherein said top portion has said first thickness substantiallyuniform and substantially across said hollow tube from said first end tosaid second end.
 5. The handle of claim 3, wherein said bottom portionhas said second thickness substantially uniform and substantially acrosssaid hollow tube from said first end to said second end.
 6. The handleof claim 3, wherein said hollow tube tapers in thickness from said topportion to said bottom portion.
 7. The handle of claim 2, wherein saidhollow tube is formed by an extrusion process.
 8. The handle of claim 2,wherein said hollow tube is comprised of a material selected from thegroup consisting of an aluminum metal, a titanium metal, and an alloy.9. A handle for a lacrosse head comprising: a hollow metal tube havingan interior surface and an exterior surface, said hollow metal tubehaving a first end for communicating with a throat portion of a lacrossehead and a second end opposing said first end; wherein said hollow metaltube has a first thickness defined by a distance between said interiorsurface and said exterior surface at a first location along alongitudinal axis of said hollow metal tube and a second thicknessdefined by a distance between said interior surface and said exteriorthickness at a second location along said longitudinal axis of saidhollow metal tube; wherein said first thickness has a greater magnitudethan said second thickness.
 10. The handle of claim 9, wherein saidhollow metal tube is defined by a top portion on one side of acenterline of the handle and a bottom portion on an opposing side ofsaid centerline, said top portion and said bottom portion having asubstantially uniform thickness from said interior surface to saidexterior surface along a transversal axis of said hollow metal tube. 11.The handle of claim 10, wherein said top portion tapers in thicknessfrom said first location to said second location.
 12. The handle ofclaim 10, wherein said bottom portion tapers in thickness from saidfirst location to said second location.
 13. The handle of claim 10,wherein said exterior surface of said top portion and said exteriorsurface of said bottom portion are parallel to said centerline.
 14. Thehandle of claim 9, wherein said first location is proximal to said firstend of said hollow metal tube.
 15. The handle of claim 9, wherein saidsecond location is proximal to said second end of said hollow metaltube.
 16. A handle for a lacrosse head comprising: a hollow metal tubehaving an interior surface and an exterior surface, said hollow metaltube having a first end for communicating with a throat portion of alacrosse head and a second end opposing said first end; wherein saidhollow metal tube has a first thickness defined by a distance betweensaid interior surface and said exterior surface at a first length ofsaid hollow metal tube and a second thickness defined by a distancebetween said interior surface and said exterior thickness at a secondlength of said hollow metal tube; wherein said first thickness and saidsecond thickness are different to provide tactile feedback to a playeras to the orientation of the handle in said player's hand.
 17. Thehandle of claim 16, wherein said first length includes said first end ofsaid hollow metal tube.
 18. The handle of claim 16, wherein said secondlength includes a middle portion of said hollow metal tube.